Modern Roubaix is not a beautiful place, partly owing to severe world war bombardment, but also the result of decades of industrial decline. The Grand'Place has a desolate feel to it, not helped by the bombastic opulence of the Hôtel de Ville, built in 1911. But the city has been earnestly trying to overcome its difficulties in recent years, and nowhere is this more manifest than in Roubaix's most exciting place to visit and one of France's most original art museums, La Piscine, or the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie (Tues–Thurs 11am–6pm, Fri 11am–8pm, Sat & Sun 1–6pm; €3), halfway between the gare SNCF and the Grand'Place, at 23 rue de l'Espérance. This fascinating, partly interactive museum opened its doors in 2001, after years of work to convert one of France's most beautiful swimming pools and water cure complexes. Originally built in the early 1930s by local architect Albert Baert, contemporary architect Paul Philippon retained various aspects of the baths – part of the pool, the shower-cubicles, the changing-rooms and the bathhouses – and used each part of the complex to display a splendid collection of mostly nineteenth- and early twentieth-century sculpture and painting, plus haute couture clothing, textiles, and a collection of photographs of the swimming pool in its heyday. A fine set of sculptures is reflected in the water, and don't miss the water-filter machinery in the museum's excellent shop. Interesting temporary exhibitions are staged throughout the year (€3).A short way to the southeast of central Roubaix, at 25 rue de la Prudence, is the massive La Manufacture des Flandres, a working tapestry factory, where you'll find the Musée du Jacquard (Tues–Sun 1.30–5pm; €5). One-hour guided tours take you round an interesting collection of looms and other machinery, plus tapestries from the Middle Ages to the present day, and end up in a boutique selling the factory's wares. You may wish to save your money and splash out on designer-label clothing at up to fifty percent off normal shop prices. Although the choice and range are nothing like as good as at Troyes, two major factory outlets located in Roubaix are worth investigating: L'Usine (Mon–Sat 10am–7pm), at 228 ave Alfred Motte, a short distance away from the centre; and McArthur Glen (same opening hours), at 44 Mail de Lannoy, right in the centre – Cacharel, Bruce Field, Adidas and Reebok are just a few names to entice you.
Pages in section ‘The Town’: Information.
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